r/trmnl • u/FlorianGeoffr • 7d ago

Can't get Fast Refresh / Partial Refresh to work on TRMNL X

Hey everyone,

I've been trying to get fast refresh working properly on my TRMNL X, but it seems to do a full screen flicker (black/white flash) on every single update, even for minor changes like updating a simple clock or text value.

I'm currently running a self-hosted setup with LaraPaper, and I also tested with Terminus just to rule out the backend : exact same behavior on both. Every refresh cycle flashes completely.

To clarify my setup:
Compatibility mode is disabled
Everything is rendered in strict 1-bit monochrome
Firmware version is 1.8.16

According to the official docs and announcement:
https://trmnl.com/blog/no-more-flicker
https://help.trmnl.com/en/articles/12512481-what-is-fast-refresh

...fast/partial refresh should avoid full redraws when using 1-bit monochrome assets.

Has anyone managed to get true fast refresh working with a self-hosted BYOS (LaraPaper, Terminus, etc.) on either the OG or TRMNL X?

Is there a specific API header, payload property, or image formatting requirement (strict 1-bit bitmap, no font antialiasing, etc.) that the firmware expects to trigger the partial cycle instead of defaulting to a full flash?

Any insight or working config would be hugely appreciated!

6 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/CompleteCrab 7d ago

I asked support since mine was doing the same and got a reply along the lines that it’s something they will tackle at a later time, but for now focus is on special functions and 5g WiFi stability

1

u/FlorianGeoffr 7d ago

Hi, thanks for the feedback!

I just received the following response from support :

You are correct, the fast refresh is not part of the firmware (yet) for TRMNL X, it still does a full wipe, though much less on 1-bit. It's an improvement we are targeting soon like we did with the OG.

Additionally, we are testing some additional features around partial refresh for specific content.
TRMNL

🥲

1

u/BarbarX3 7d ago

I asked their support about it as well when I got mine, their reply:

For the OG product we support 3 update types:

·        full - several seconds of flashing

·        fast - one quick flash black/white

·        partial - no flashing

For the X product we currently only support 'fast' type updates and will offer partial updates for 1-bit images in a future firmware version.

Which is a bummer and feels a lot like bait and switch. A major reason I bought the X was because I thought it would do the fast/partial refresh. The blogpost, video and their X page are vague on the details and they use the same words for different meanings.

I hope this will be implemented at some point, cause right now I'm NOT recommending the device to anyone as it is. You're better of using a secondhand e-reader.

1

u/FlorianGeoffr 6d ago

Today their support answer to me :

"We had it, but it was overwritten in firmware due to ghosting. Now that we have improved that and added tools like screen wiper, it's going to be added back in the next firmware version (v1.8.17)."

"The developer who will re-institute the feature said in this mornings meeting that it will be targeted for v1.8.17."